Openreach, the infrastructure arm of BT Group, has deployed its 5,000th electric vehicle as part of its transition to a zero-emissions fleet. The company aims to add a further 2,000 EVs by March 2026 as part of its ‘Let’s Reach Zero’ initiative.
The 5,000th vehicle, a Ford E-Transit Custom, was wrapped in a special livery to commemorate the milestone. Openreach operates the UK’s second-largest commercial vehicle fleet and plans to convert most of its 23,000 vehicles to electric as part of BT Group’s broader climate goals.
“We know the impact our operations have, so seeing our 5,000th electric van on the road is a proud moment for everyone at Openreach,” said Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach. “By continuing to upgrade our fleet, and by installing EV chargers in our engineers’ homes and our operational sites – we’re removing barriers to adoption, improving air quality, and supporting the communities we serve.”
BT Group manages around 27,000 vehicles across its divisions, with Openreach operating the majority. In January, the group ordered 3,500 electric vans from Ford, Stellantis, Toyota, and Renault. The first 750 units were delivered in June, and the E-Transit Custom that marked the 5,000th milestone is believed to be part of that order.
In addition to upgrading its vehicles, Openreach has installed more than 2,500 charging points at its sites and at technicians’ homes where possible. The company has also partnered with First Bus to allow its electric vans to use depot chargers when buses are out on service.